Gov. Granholm tells lawmakers to let Robert Bobb control academics of Detroit Public Schools

AP File PhotoEmergency Financial Manager Robert BobbGov. Jennifer Granholm on Monday signed a series of bills she hopes will improve low-performing public schools in Michigan, but she called on the state legislature to draft another.

The Detroit Free Press reports Granholm yesterday said lawmakers should allow the state to take over the academic programs for entire districts, not just individual schools.

"You need a unified, accountable person who is responsible for the district. I think it's very important to clarify that," she told the Freep.

That would allow Robert Bobb, appointed by Granholm last year to oversee the finances of the Detroit Public Schools, to also oversee academics in the district.

Granholm's request comes in the wake of last month's announcement that fourth- and eighth-graders in the district recorded the lowest scores in the history of a national standardized tests.

In response to the scores, Bobb called for a volunteer-based "reading revolution" in Detroit and urged state lawmakers to support the Race to Top plan for federal stimulus dollars.

Rep. Tim Melton (D-Auburn Hills) told the Free Press the House Education Committee will discuss Granholm's request on Jan. 14, but said he's reluctant to allow total control of a district to a single person.